Niners agree to trade quarterback Smith to Chiefs

Headed to Chiefs

Associated Press File Photo

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly given up a second-round pick (No. 34 overall) this year and a conditional pick in the 2014 NFL draft to acquire veteran San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, pictured.

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the 2013 NFL league year, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement on a deal to send quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City, according to a person informed of the impending trade.

The person spoke to USA Today Sports on condition of anonymity because the move can’t become official until March 12, when the league’s new year begins.

The agreement on the deal between the Niners and Chiefs was first reported by FoxSports.com.

The Chiefs gave up a second-round pick (No. 34 overall) this year and a conditional pick in the 2014 draft. The Niners now have 15 picks in this year’s draft.

49ers safety Donte Whitner was one of the first to weigh in on the announcement by tweeting: “Good luck to Mr. Alex Smith. I know you’ll do great under Andy Reid in KC. The ultimate pro!”

Left tackle Joe Staley tweeted: “Best of luck to Alex in KC. Amazing teammate, friend, and person. I know he will do great things there.”

It’s another swing in the wild career of Smith, who has gone from No. 1 overall pick to draft bust to backup and spot starter, to full-time starter and game manager in a simplified offence, to NFC Championship starter, to developing passer, to Colin Kaepernick’s backup and now to Kansas City.

The Chiefs were looking for an upgrade over Matt Cassel, who is due $7.5 million in base salary this season and is likely to be released. The team spoke to the Philadelphia Eagles about a possible trade for Nick Foles, whom Reid, the new head coach of the Chiefs, coached last season. The Eagles said they are intent on keeping Foles.

When the Eagles went 4-12 this past season, Reid was fired after 14 seasons. The Chiefs made him the first coach hired to fill one of the NFL’s eight head-coaching vacancies. Kansas City also fired general manager Scott Pioli.